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Form of workWe have a great opportunity for an Animal Surgeonto join our Cardiovascular Physiology Core team in Brigham and Women's Hospital. This role provides sophisticated surgical and physiology expertise to client studies, to ensure successful preclinical study outcomes. This role requires a strong command of animal (rodent) anatomy, general animal welfare, anesthetic management, pre-op and post-operative care associated with survival and no survival surgery. The right candidate should also have familiarity with imaging equipment such as ultrasound and MRI. The surgeon should be able to support the Core team as needed for general operations and be able to perform all relevant surgical and other technician duties assigned.
Our work in developing new therapeutics and establishing novel animal surgical and non invasive models has had an incredible impact across academia and industry over the past decade.
Core skills
- Performing routine cardiac surgical procedures like thoracotomy, myocardial infarction, ischemia reperfusion, aortic constriction in rodents.
- Performing ex vivo work including heart perfusion and Langendorff.
- Performing in vivo catheterizations for measurement of vascular and chamber pressure in cardiovascular rodent models.
- Learning/developing new rodent surgical techniques to support novel animal model generation such as UUO or mini invasive techniques to probe cardiopulmonary dysfunction
- Performing routine procedures including pump placement and parenteral injections.
- Familiarity with renal, inflammatory and vascular pathologies and corresponding model development.
- Demonstrating subject matter expertise and proficiency in experimental surgery, anesthesia/analgesia techniques in rodent species with documented success in recovery procedures and post-operative care.
- Recognizing technical issues and developing corrective and preventive actions.
- Communicating, collaborating and consulting with veterinarians, peers and scientific investigators on best practice, optimization and production of in vivo, surgical models.
- Administering veterinary health care and postoperative monitoring as needed by BWH IACUC guidelines.
- Providing oversight of Core surgery facilities and maintaining Core surgery areas in a compliant state.
- Providing guidance in the design, preparation and execution of surgical research studies.
- Presenting study results and communicating appropriate scientific information to colleagues and peers.
- Reviewing and authoring technical documents for in vivo procedures and administering in vivo training.
- Mentoring team members and training clients who want to train on surgical skills.
- Supporting the Core with occasional weekend calls.
- Enhancing scientific/technical knowledge through lab-based practicums and reviews of advanced scientific literature.
Education/Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a health-related field (preferably Animal Science) or equivalent experience
- Proven experience with survival and non-survival surgery in rodents
- Certified by AALAS at the LATG/RLAT level preferred (not required)
Experience:
- Five or more years' experience in animal model development and surgery (using regulated species, primarily rodents) in an academic or industry setting.
- Exemplary animal handling skills.
- Exemplary communication, professionalism and interpersonal skills.
- Highly self-motivated, driven to excel, ability to work independently and prioritize responsibilities and projects.
- Exhibits adaptability/flexibility to effectively work in an environment with changing priorities and urgency for project completions.
